Looseleaf notebook binder



April 14, 1970 T. R. SMITH 7 3,506,370

LOOSELEAF NOTEBOOK BINDER Original Filed Oct. 20. 1966 INVENT THOMAS R. SMIT ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,506,370 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 3,506,370 LOOSELEAF NOTEBOOK BINDER Thomas R. Smith, 27A Brushy Hill Road, Newtown, Conn. 06470 Continuation of application Ser. No. 588,684, Oct. 20, 1966. This application May 26, 1969, Ser. No. 831,260 Int. Cl. B42f 3/04 US. Cl. 402-8 1 Claim ABSTRQCT OF THE DISCLOSURE A looseleaf notebook binder assembly for reta ning a plurality of perforated sheets between cover members in looseleaf relation and including a plurality of binding members for retaining the sheets between the cover members, each of the binding members being formed with an elongated flexible plastic strip on one end of which a transversely positioned enlarged head portion is formed. Each of the binding members extends through aligned openings formed in the sheets and the cover members, the enlarged head portion of each binding member preventing Withdrawal of the binding member through the openings, a loop being defined by each strip around the marginal edges of the sheets and cover members that is located exteriorly thereof, and the binding members being locked in the exterior looped position thereof to provide for movement of the sheets and cover members as required.

The present invention relates to improvements in looseleaf notebook binders.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved looseleaf notebook wherein the sheet holding memher is formed by simple elongated strips which cooperate with a cover member to form sheet holding rings.

Another object of the present invent on is to provide an improved looseleaf notebook wherein the ring-forming means and cover member so cooperate as to provide fliparound utility.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved looseleaf notebook wherein the ring-forming means cooperates with a cover member to give variable capacity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ring-forming member which can cooperate with a cover member in a variety of locations; can be used with a single cover member, a folded cover member or a member attached to a cover member.

A further object of the present invent on is to provide an improved looseleaf notebook wherein the entire assembly utilizes the simplest of materials, construction and assembly, yet which is functional, durable and attractive.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first form of looseleaf notebook according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the notebook of FIG. 1, part being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a ring-forming member;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of notebook;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but of the modification of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals apply to like parts throughout and having reference first to FIGS. 1-3, it will be seen that I have provided an improved looseleaf notebook binder which includes binder cover members 12, 14 and a series of ring forming members 16, for binding a multiplicity of sheets of paper as at 20.

The binder covermembers 12, 14 are shown as two separate covers. It is to be understood that a single cover member similar to one of the cover members 12, 14 or a pair of integral cover members can be employed and utilized with the ring-forming members, if so desired. The cover members are formed with a series of openings, usually punched-out, as at 22, 24, 26 adjacent one edge 28 of the binder covers.

All of the ring-forming members 16 are alike so a description of one will sufiice for all. Hav ng reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the member 16 is formed of a thin, fiat, elongated strip 30 of flexible plastic stock having a width engageable through the binder cover openings. One end is provided with a transversely enlarged head 32 providing shoulders at 34, 36 and an end edge 38.

With the binder cover members 12, 14, assembly is effected by threading the end 40 of the ring-forming member 16 through the opening 26, through the openings 27 of the sheets 20 to be held, and through the opening 29 in the cover member 14 so that the head 32 abuts its shoulders 34, 36 against the mouth of the opening 26. Then the end 40 is arcuated around the edge 28 over the head 32 and back through the opening 26 to be positioned between the cover 12 and the sheets 20. Upon drawing the end 40 to tighten the ring formed by the strip 30, the edge acts as a friction edge to help hold the ring from release.

In the modification of FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover 12' is provided with a second opening 42 spaced from the opening 26 in a direction away from the edge 28. The element 16 is unchanged but preferably is engaged differently as shown. Thus the end 40 is engaged through the opening 26 from the inside, out around the edge 28, in the opening 29' over the edge 38, back out the opening 26. Then it is passed back through the cover 12' at the opening 42 which serves as friction holding means and means for adjusting the size of the ring portion formed by the strip 30.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that I have provided improved looseleaf notebook binders which fulfill the objects hereinbefore enumerated.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by this claim.

What I claim is:

1. In a looseleaf notebook binder assembly for retaining a plurality of sheets therein, wherein said sheets have spaced openings formed therein adjacent to a marginal edge thereof, a first cover member having spaced openings formed adjacent to a marginal edge thereof and in corresponding aligned relation to the openings in said sheets, a second cover member normally located in spaced parallel relation to said first cover member and having pairs of openings formed therein in spaced relation, one of the openings of each pair being normally located in corresponding relation to an opening in said sheets and in said first cover member, the other opening of each pair of openings being spaced from the first opening of each pair, wherein a line extending through the center of each opening in said second cover member is perpendicular to said marginal edges, and a plurality of independently formed binding members for retaining said sheets between said cover members in bound looseleaf relation, each of said binding members including an elongated, flexible, plastic strip, on one end of which a transversely positioned enlarged head portion is formed, the junction of said head portion and said strip defining spaced shoulders, said head portion further including an outer edge located in spaced parallel relation to said shoulders, the strip of each binding member having a Width less than the diameter of each of said openings and the head por tion of each binding member having a width greater than the diameter of said openings, the enlarged head portion of each binding member being located between said cover members so that the spaced shoulders thereof are substantially in engagement with the inner surface of said second cover member and adjacent to an opening in said cover member that is aligned with openings in said sheets, the strip of each binding member extending through the opening in said second cover member to which its head portion is adjacent, around the marginal edges of the cover members and sheets, through the aligned corresponding openings in said first cover member and sheets and then back through said aligned opening in said second cover member for frictional engagement with the outer edge of its head portion, wherein an exterior adjustable ring is defined that projects from an opening in the first cover member to the aligned opening in said second cover member, the strip of each binding member further extending through the other opening in said second cover member of each of the pair of spaced openings therein for concealment between said second cover member and a sheet in said looseleaf notebook binder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,380,780 7/1945 Novak.

2,421,404 6/1947 Anderskow 402-20 3,246,653 4/1966 Sexton 402l5 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,252,131 12/1960 France.

922,990 4/ 1963 Great Britain.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

